Tree Wallpapers

We get a lot of requests for this wallpaper.  Can't you see why?  It's beautiful! It's great on one wall, or as shown here, in a powder room.

Interior design by Christina Murphy, image via Digging Decor

The wallpaper patterns is called Woods and it is made by Cole & Sons. You can find the product and pricing information at our Cole & Sons wallpapers section.

New Online Design Magazines

Online decorating magazines seem to be a growing sector, starting with the success of Lonny. 

There are a couple of new ones that you might want to check out.  The first one is Adore Home, which is an Australian online magazine.  The content is a bit thin for the first issue, but it looks like it has potential.

The second one is Rue Magazine.  This one is huge (over 200 pages). The first issue has a large section devoted to design blogs.  This one seems really exciting if they can keep up the content.

Lounge Bumi Karsa Hotel

Design by Esti Kartika P

Greek Islands : An Odyssey #4

HomeAway

Lobby at MofS Hotel

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Design by Estie Kartika of C Design

Gunadi Room's

Design By Estie Kartika of C Design

Great Kitchen Design

Here is a great design idea I just had to post - this is such a wonderful, ingenious design. I am anxious to use it in my next project. The first view is entering the kitchen. Notice the raised island area where the the stools are placed.

Hutker Architects

Here is the view from the other side. It is the perfect space for storing dishes, bowls and mugs. Isn't that so very clever?

Hutker Architects

I think this design idea would work especially well in a vacation home. Guests getting up in the morning at all different times and they can simply find everything they need without feeling uncomfortable rummaging through the cabinets. What do you think? Like it or love it?

Playing in Tents!

With summer in full swing, I am reminded by my children the fun of spending the night in a tent. The billowy canvas sides create a secret retreat. Let's look at some more luxurious ways to spend the evening and ways to create this atmosphere in your own home. Hunter Hotels
This is a tented suite from Marataba Safari, part of the Hunter Hotel Group, in the magnificent Marakele National Park, north of Johannesburg in South Africa. This exotic tented suite is a beautiful mix of canvas and stone, furnished and decorated in an African style. I love the way the tent fabric billows above the bed, so luxurious. Notice the en-suite stone bathroom with copper tub. Each of the 12 suites each have their own private deck overlooking the sweeping plains.

Let's look at another opulent resort for inspiration.

Aman Resorts

Here are the lovely tented suites of Aman Resorts in Rajasthan, India. The 10 air-conditioned tents, have soaring six-metre canopies above draped cotton partitions.

They are designed and decorated in a clean modern style. The subtle hues of creamy canvas, swathes of airy-white cotton, khaki cushions on toffee coloured leathers contrast the soft elegance of the tented exteriors.

Here is another "bedroom" in the tented suites. Notice the dressing table, comfortable chairs and animal hide footstool. What luxury in a tent!

Amanresorts
Lovely at night and so romantic at sunrise.

The tented suites are enchanting and exotic ways to spend an evening, but lets look at some ways to bring this feeling into our everyday homes.

Marie Claire Maison
The simplest way of course, is to drape mosquito netting over the bed. Here it is done very romantically with the addition of the crystal chandelier above and crisp white linens on the bed .
Marie Claire Maison

Another bed is simply dressed with a gray silk - It becomes more dramatic by lowering the bed almost to the floor and adding romantic sconces.Marie Claire Maison

This room is draped in a simple airy-white cotton, but what makes this room so interesting is the draped, gathered fabric ceiling over the bed. A very traditional bed and side tables, but with the addition of the fabric overhead it becomes a more exotic retreat.

Marie Claire Maison
Here a beautiful canopy is built over the bed and draped with a lovely embroidered sari. I love the purple velvet duvet and the dressmakers' mannequin wrapped in a pretty shawl. The walls, painted cream above and gray below wraps the room in an interesting way.

Marie Claire Maison

White linen creatively hung above low to the floor twin beds. Bright linens cover the beds and a dark accent wall lends a more mysterious feel.

Marie Claire Maison
Here is a more middle eastern feeling room done in bright silks. I love the hanging lantern inside the canopy. Notice the silk screen used behind the bed as a headboard. Deep magenta walls and darker trim add to the luxurious atmosphere.

Marie Claire Maison
Here is a much more modern take on the canopy. I love the crisp, nautical feeling of this bed. The canopy is tied like a sail, bed linens are a soft sun-faded blue. This room is restful and fun at the same time.

Marie Claire Maison

This room also has a nautical feel. A simple way to include a canopy without a custom bed or structure is hang it above the bed with wire and a small rod. I love the bold, blue striped fabric canopy and matching headboard. I also love the bench at the end of the bed. The green stripe on the bench adds freshness

Marie Claire Maison

This attic room uses the angles of the room's windows and fabric to create a tented feeling. Soft quilts and comfy chair add to the cozy cottage feeling. Lying in this bed at night you could easily spend hours wishing on stars.

Marie Claire Maison

We end with a serene outdoor room. Crisp white linen bedding and pillows, airy-white cotton billowing on a deck that overlooks the ocean. Now this is an exciting tented retreat anyone, young or old, would enjoy!

Transitional Spaces

I have been crazy busy with my home renovations, so unfortunately my posts have been less frequent. Here are two wonderful transitional spaces from Banks Design Architecture. They are my inspiration to remind me of the light at the end of the tunnel.

In a few weeks time I will post some of my personal before and afters! Until then I'll be waiting for the dust to settle and the paint fumes to clear!!!

Gray/Grey Dining Rooms

I have a new obsession with gray dining rooms, I love the elegant look - Gray is such a wonderful color. If done correctly it can be warm and elegant. Very often I see cream woodwork and one or two simple black accents; both help make the color pop. Here are a few of my favorites: Jane Showers & Associates

This dining room was designed by one of my favorite designers, Jane Showers and Associates. I love the how the ebony table anchors the space while all the other pieces in the room are light and airy. The huge mirror, which reflects the buffet across the room adds a layer of drama. The chandelier looks like it could be from Julie Neill Designs and the ceiling has a pearlized look. Lovely!

MLS Photo

This gray dining room is actually an illusion. It has black and white printed walls which gives an overall feeling of gray. Very chic. The striped chairs and traditional style table go beautifully with the more traditional style of the room. The art work adds the black accents. Hard to tell exactly, but perhaps antique architectural prints, framed in ebony. A crystal chandelier adds sparkle.

MLS PHOTO

Here is a country inn - this gray reads a bit more blue to me. The cherry wood is good compliment. I also find the pinkish-creamy ceiling pretty but I do not like chandelier. It seems too informal and too small for the space.

MLS PHOTO

This room really speaks to me. Here is a wonderful example of gray in a more austere room. The windows open to a spectacular view. Often the wrong color can compete with view. This gray is a perfect compliment to the outdoors - it actually enhances the view. The lighting adds the perfect accent of black with out overpowering the space. Add in the texture of the sisal rug, the simple lines of the furniture, the soft color palette of the upholstery, and viola! Perfect!

Let There Be Light!

We sem to be doing a good job of finding the kinds of lamps that people want - we keep selling out! When inspiration hits, I make funky custom shades and Mr. Bob makes funky custom lamps. Some really great ones are in the works for our next display!

Last week we finally got the armoire into the booth. It is a smallish one, but a tv or computer will fit nicely inside (adjustable shelves). Of course it would be a lovely linen chest or clothing storage piece, too. Bob built this out of reclaimed lumber & mouldings, and a sparkly pair of crystal doorknobs! Next to it you can see a gorgeous shade on a post lamp, along with a few other new lamps we put in.

When I 'rescued' this lamp from its hiding place on a back shelf in an old thrift shop, it was in what I'd term the perfect state of shabbiness. Mr. Bob had other ideas and suggested - strongly - that I paint it. So, I did, but I painted it to look worn. Which is really confusing....the lamp is too worn and shabby, so paint it to look like new...worn and shabby....???? I love it tho, and I almost kept that shade for myself. It's just the perfect color of cocoa in the tin, ya know?

Big old wood balustrade made into a lamp. Bob hates this thing. It was painted all shiny white gloss when I found it, with an ugly drum shade that was three sizes too big. Dumped the shade, painted her up with three shades of white & cream flat paint, scuffed her a bit, and popped on a very retro shade that somehow looks contemporary on this lamp. Badda bing. I almost kept this one too - except for that voodoo look he gave me when I suggested it. So into the booth it went. (BTW, I just saw a lamp like this one in a glossy home decor mag. It costs $459.00 and is mass-produced. Puh leeeeze.)

We found this French coatrack, but it was bleached out and dry as a bone. Into the workshop it went, and it came out stained, buffed, and beautiful. Sort of like going to the spa for a spray tan. Not that I do that, mind you. I just let the dust and dirt accumulate while I'm junkin', and it looks like a tan. ;0) This rack easily comes apart in three sections for transport, too!

Miss Mari called yesterday morning to let us know that both of the collage tables sold over the weekend. A mad rush ensued to create some more things to put into the booth. I'm heading in today with them and will post photos later. Thank you all so much for your continued patronage. We are thrilled at this response - you are keepin' us on our toes!

Coming Soon...

More collaged accessories and a beautiful bed!

Embellished bottles

Vintage NeSts (a Deb original!)

Rusty metal mesh cones with fall flora

Girl stuff, desk stuff, house stuff...

...and many more sparkly, rusty, worn, shabby, and inspiring vintage delights. They'll be in our space for the Grand Opening Festivities on Friday - Don't miss it!